Mary Ann Reif Messerer 1868-1929

REIF, YOUNKER, MESSERER, HULSE

Posted By: Dorothy (email)
Date: 12/17/2008 at 10:04:02

Mary Ann Reif. Daughter of August
and Elizabeth (Younker) Reif,
was born May 15, 1868 and Died April
23, 1929 at the age of 6O years, 11
months anil 8 days.
She was born in Florence Township,
Will County, Illinois. At the age of
13 years she came with her parent
to Banks Township, Fayette County
Iowa. Here the family made their
home and she grew to young
womanhood.
In the winter of 1886 she was
converted and united with the Union
Evangelical Church of Banks Twp.
Here she attended services and held
the position of Organist for a number
of years.
On September 8, 1887 she was
united in marriage with Geo. H
Messerer, they immediately went to
housekeeping on the farm that has
been their home for over 41 years.
This union was blessed with 8 children,
4 sons and 4 daughters, one
daughter dying in infancy and one
son, Harvey A. Messerer, gave his life
in the World War in France.
She was a kind and loving wife and
mother always thoughtful of her
family and home, and ready and willing
to do for others.
Mrs. Messerer was a member of the
American Legion Auxiliary of the
Legion Post No. 92 of Westgate
which was named for her son, Harvey,
who was killed in action in France
and through whose sacrifices she became
a Gold Star mother. The Auxiliary
attended in a body and tendered
the last ritual at the grave. Members
of the Legion post were pall bearers.
She is survived by her husband,
Geo. H. Messerer, 3 sons, Geo. P. Jr.,
Ralph and Vern, 3 daughters: Stella,
and Ella and Mrs. Ruth Hulse of
Charles City, Iowa. 1 grandson and 5
brothers, as follows: Geo. Reif, Sumner,
Iowa; Andrew B. Reif, of Bismark,
N. D.; John Aaron Reif, Ackley,
Iowa; Ed J. Reif, Sumner, Iowa;
Will C. Reif, Nashua, Iowa, and many
other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Friday
afternoon at the Union Evangelical
Church and interment was made in
the cemetery nearby. Rev. L. F.
Smith and J. D. Kloox officiated at
the last rites and the outpouring of
friends in spite of the bad roads indicated
the high esteem in which the departed
woman was held.

Sumner Gazette - 22 May 1929